As Bella entered the bar Pam suddenly appeared in front of her.
"So, I hear we are to have some girl time" Pam purred at Bella. She was eager to spend time with the girl, it was better than entertaining the bloodbags, that's for sure. Bella was happy she had someone to spend time with, she had never been in a bar before and wasn't exactly sure what the fuss was about.
"Oh good. I was worried about being alone. I didn't really feel like talking to the rest of the humans here. They are a bit uh-" Bella tried to explain in the politest way possible, Fangtasia patrons.
"Pathetic" Pam replied helpfully, linking her arm through Bella's a leading her through the mass of people. Everyone moved out of the way of the blond vampire and her brunette companion.
"I wasn't going to say that" Bella frowned. She would never think that ill of someone.
"No, you are too kind. But they are pathetic. Look at them, desperately trying to get bitten and fucked by us. They are vermin, plain and simple. You are too good to associate with the likes of them, Kitten" Pam continued to explain. She led Bella to an empty booth and motions for her to sit before sliding in smoothly across from her. Bella was confused but wisely kept quiet.
"Now, would you like a beverage?" Pam asked, observing the girl in front of her.
"Oh uh, I don't want to be any trouble" Bella replied hesitantly.
"Nonsense. Now, what would you like?" Pam was having none of it. 'Why does she seem so uncomfortable? It is only a simple human beverage I'm offering' Pam thought and assessed the human before her.
"Oh, um a coke then?" Bella replied, still very unsure. There was a small gust of wind and an Asian vampire appeared before the table placing Bella's coke and a true blood before Pam. The vampire froze and flared his nostrils, he eyed Bella hungrily before Pam growled very quietly and then he flashed away.
Pam decided to change the subject before Bella picked up on the little exchange.
"You seem uncomfortable with me buying you a drink. Why is that?" Pam asked, hoping to find out more about the girl in front of her.
Bella looked down, "Well I guess I'm not used to people doing nice things for me. I've always just taken care of myself really. The only people to really do things for me is my gran and Sookie. I don't mean to be rude, I am very thankful" Bella answered, hoping she didn't offend her new vampire friend. She seemed rough around the edges but nice enough.
Pam simply stared at Bella unblinking. Bella was unsure what to make of this.
"I do not understand. You are a human female. Shouldn't the male members of your family care for you? You are also quite young still, do those of your blood not care for you? Dear Abby says that it is a human custom to care for those younger, teach and protect them" Pam explained, rather confused. Humans were awfully complicated, she decided.
Bella sighed. She guessed she had to explain these 'human customs' to Pam, or at least with her family. Bella was confused, judging by her description of the people in Fangtasia and the distasteful looks she shot them, she would think Pam wouldn't be interested in her human life.
"Normally, yes. My family I suppose is a bit different. I was raised by my grandmother living in her house with my mother until I was about eight. My grandmother cared for me, not my mother, she was too busy and ditzy to really take care of a kid. After Sookie's parents died, she and her brother, Jason, had to live with gran so my mom and I moved out and I followed her travelling around the southern states of the US. My mom is what humans call a 'free-spirit'. She didn't keep down jobs, always hopping from one to another so we didn't have a stable income, nor could she cook or bother cleaning; so I took over that. After the first year I took over everything, it was much easier, I got odd jobs where we lived cleaning peoples houses, walking dogs and babysitting when I was old enough. My mother just wasn't capable of looking after someone else, she is barely able to look after herself, mind you. She always needs someone there to keep her from her more dangerous hair-brained schemes" She smiled fondly, remembering her mother. She should give her a call soon.
Pam remained emotionless, listening to Bella raptly, very confused. 'This does not seem a suitable way to care for a child. Even the worst makers care for their child in the most basic sense; seeing to their needs', "and what of your father?" Pam asked.
"Oh well Charlie and my mom split up when I was a baby. She was travelling around the world when she landed in Forks, met my Dad and had a world-wind romance and ended up with a divorce and me. She really hated the cold and rain and needed more help with me so she moved back in with my gran. Charlie has always been really protective of me even though I only saw him every summer. I did move back with him before I came here but I only had to the housework for him. It was a lot easier really, Charlie can't cook and was not much for cleaning so I helped with that in return for him letting me live with him"
Seeing the dangerously blank look on Pam's face Bella sought to explain,
"I mean, Charlie is the chief of police so he has the money, I just had to go shopping, do the cooking and the cleaning. He was very fair. I needed to earn my keep, you know" Bella smiled slightly, hoping the ease the look on the vampire's face.
From his office, Eric could feel Pam's horror, disgust, anger and pity? His Pam was not one to pity another. Curious and knowing she was with Bella he decided to summon her. Pam felt Eric's call and was glad, she has no idea what to say. For once, Pam was speechless.
"I will return shortly, Eric needs me" Pam rose gracefully from the table and walked to the back of Fangtasia, her heels clicking as she went. Bella shrugged her shoulders and took a sip of coke. She decided to spend her time observing Fangtasia, 'everyone is wearing too much black' she mused taking another sip.
Eric looked up as he felt Pam enter his office. Her face betrayed nothing of the emotions she felt earlier.
"Pam, I felt your horror through the bond. What is this? You are not one to feel so strongly no matter what the situation" Eric asked his progeny, waving at her to take a seat across from his desk.
Pam approached the chair warily, wondering how to explain her reaction. She despised human children, they were disgusting, loud and smelly but knowing Bella had been raised in such a deplorable way made Pam feel... strange.
"It's nothing. Bella was merely telling me of her family and the circumstances in which she was raised" Pam explained to her expectant maker, keeping her face impassive. Eric frowned, Pam wasn't usually this vague. She was usually crass and bold and told too much information for his liking. He knew it must be bad. He gave her an expectant look that clearly said, 'explain'
Pam sighed in a very human gesture, "She was raised fine by her and Sookie's grandmother but by the age of nine, she moved. She travelled around the US with her mother not providing a stable home, with no money and not even food to properly care for her child. She has had to work and take care of her entire household by herself whilst taking care of her mother. She was essentially a slave for her mother. Her father was not much better, at least he paid for her food and provided a stable home but she was still required to keep the house. She appears to suffer from extreme low worth also, which could be a result of this"
Pam looked down, having finished her explanation. She knew Eric would not take it well. Although he cared nought for humans, Vikings were notoriously protective of their children and cared for them exceptionally well. Eric did not tolerate feeding from children and was very harsh in punishments for those who did.
She looked up trying to gauge his reaction when suddenly he let out a full, ear crushing roar. Eric moved quickly grabbing his desk before forcefully throwing it at the wall in a rage. It shattered into pieces and Pam raised her hand to protect herself from the debris. Eric stood panting and Pam recognised the look on his face. 'The Viking is going on a rampage' She thought warily. She only hoped Fangtasia and its patrons survived his temper if not there would be a hell of a clean up afterwards.
Meanwhile, Bella sat happily watching everyone in Fangtasia. The humans did not seem to have much self respect simply throwing themselves at the vampires, wanting to be used. Bella shook her head wondering how anyone could want to be treated that way. One man was crawling on his hands and knee's, he was wearing a leather collar, tight black t-shirt and leather pants. He also had too much eye make-up on, making him look panda-eyed and not in an attractive way. A small, extremely thin woman, swayed on the dance floor trying to look seductive while running her hands over her neck and across her veins, perhaps trying to entice vampires. She did not look particularly clean.
While Bella was lost in her thoughts she did not notice someone slip in the booth beside her until she heard them.
"Hello, would you like another one of those?"
Bella heard a male voice and jumped slightly in her seat. She looked across the booth seeing a vampire. He was not very young looking perhaps in his early forties, he had dark hair which was cropped short. He had a strong jaw and very intense grey eyes framed by sculpted brows. He was not unattractive but stared too intensely for Bella to truly feel comfortable.
"Oh, hi. I didn't notice you there. No thanks, I'm fine. Still got plenty left" She raised her glass to show the man and then took a sip. She wondered why he was sitting there. He smiled slightly, showing he acknowledged her but It seemed strained.
"What are you doing, sitting here all alone?" He asked. He smiled in what Bella supposed was meant to be a charming manner.
Suddenly, there was a huge crash coming from the back of Fangtasia. Bella was startled, she knew Pam and Eric were back there. Worrying for their safety she shot up. The vampire looked extremely irritated with his tense jaw and fisted hands.
"Stay" He commanded her whilst looking deep into her eyes. Briefly feeling a sharp pinching sensation in her brain, she shook it off before shaking her head and looking at him disbelievingly.
"I'm sorry, I gotta go. See you around" She waved politely and walked briskly away. Bella did not realise that only the complete shock the vampire felt which kept him immobilised, had saved her life.
Bella reached and promptly entered Eric's office, worried about what happened. Bella saw the destruction in the office and became worried, she looked around her for a threat but saw none aside from a wary Pam and a panting Eric. She wondered what happened.
"Uh, guys? Everything okay in here? I heard the crash and was worried in case something happened" Bella began carefully, still wary of the situation. Eric observed the breather who was concerned for his safety after only knowing him for a couple hours. That she would willingly risk her safety and that of her ridiculously short life seemed unbelievably foolish but also strangely sweet. 'Yes, she is used to caring and protecting others, no one has never been concerned for her safety. She must not have any survival instincts at all' Eric fumed.
"Nothing to worry about, tiny. Come on, it's getting late and I had better get you home safely. No point in worrying your cousin now is there" Eric told the girl while rising and walking out of his office.
Bella looked questionably at Pam who simply shrugged in response and smiled slightly. Bella was very confused but decided to follow Eric. He led her out the back entrance of the club to the cooler night air. Eric stopped just when they exited.
"Stay here for a moment. I need a word with Pam" Eric said and suddenly disappeared at vampire speed. Eric entered his office quickly again and saw Pam attempting to clean up.
"Pam, order a new desk and have it here by the time I return from Dallas. Also go shopping for Bella, a whole wardrobe. The works: jewellery, shoes, everything. Get a huge variety as we do not know her taste in clothing. Buy suitable things for a young female to wear in Dallas as well as swimwear and every accessory you can think of. Have it packed and ready before you go to rest" Eric commanded his child.
Pam simply stood with her mouth gaping open, "But, that's not enough time to buy an entire war, robe Eric! It will take at least a week to buy all that and only if I did not come into work" Pam was aghast. She could buy a lot of things at once but a whole wardrobe and a generous one at that would take too long. She wanted to buy the best and needed time to locate it.
Eric considered this, "Then simply buy a variety of different clothing for a weeks work in Dallas. Buy the works and then from seeing what she decides to wear there I will be able to see her tastes thus limiting you and your options. I will text you the details of her clothes whilst I'm away. Buy them whilst I am gone. You are in charge of Fangtasia for the duration of my visit. I'm trusting you, Pamela" Eric stated.
"I will not fail you, master" Pam bowed her head in a submissive gesture. The human must have gotten under Eric's skin more than she realized.
Eric left his office in a distracted state thinking about the tiny human. He was not as drawn and enticed by her as Sookie but there was a connection. Hearing that she had to go without her whole life and be treated as a slave by her own blood infuriated him. He knew how important family was. Not all families could care for their children as they wished but her blood simply used her and treated her like dirt. He would change this. He would make her want for nothing.
Eric wasn't paying attention to his surroundings and when he walked outside and therefore did not notice the threat until it was too late.